Anyone have a press?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:56 pm

In the middle of replacing hubs and bearings on the Miata and I am in need of a press. I need to get this done before NCAC this weekend. Does anyone in the North Raleigh area have a press I could use? Alternatively, any recommendations for a reasonably priced, quick turn around machine shop would be appreciated!

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:57 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

In the middle of replacing hubs and bearings on the Miata and I am in need of a press. I need to get this done before NCAC this weekend. Does anyone in the North Raleigh area have a press I could use? Alternatively, any recommendations for a reasonably priced, quick turn around machine shop would be appreciated!

Come to Jeremy's house and you can use mine

. I'm done with it with the S2000 bearing/hub job. However, this is in SE Durham.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

I have one as well. I also have a bunch of old Miata bearings for supporting the inner race and stuff.

I think I'm a bit closer to you than Durham.

e: Also, stop taking pages out of my book of "well I guess I'll do a bunch of major stuff with a razor thin deadline to the car before a big weekend"

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 12:09 pm

HaHa! Well, I decided to check out the Harbor Freight coupon multiplier and ended up getting the 20 ton press for $136. One side is finished, new bearing and all, the other is sitting under 20 tons of pressure and is too hot to handle. If it doesn't pop soon, I guess I need to put it in the assembly in the freezer then heat the housing while it's under pressure? Also using penetrating oil, and tapping the housing. Any other suggestions? 40 ton press? :lol:

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

When I was doing mine, I was talking with Andrew Kidd and he posted this:

Quote:

I have a 12lb [sledgehammer] that gets the easy Miata axles out. The medium ones get removed and put into a 12-ton press, preloaded, hit with penetrating oil, and left alone in the corner of the shop for a few minutes until they spring loose. If that doesn't work, you get to replace the entire spindle/axle together.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 12:39 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

HaHa! Well, I decided to check out the Harbor Freight coupon multiplier and ended up getting the 20 ton press for $136. One side is finished, new bearing and all, the other is sitting under 20 tons of pressure and is too hot to handle. If it doesn't pop soon, I guess I need to put it in the assembly in the freezer then heat the housing while it's under pressure? Also using penetrating oil, and tapping the housing. Any other suggestions? 40 ton press? :lol:

Check for burrs/scratches/etc. Double check alignment. Get the housing really hot (spit sizzle hot is how it was described to me :lol:

) and really freeze the other side for several hours or more if possible). Use some copperslip type lube on the cold part. Work fast or the temps will equalize. With the aluminum housings in my race car the aluminum expanded enough that the frozen bearing just needed tapping (not directly on the bearing, of course).

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Unless if I read that wrong, I think he's trying to get the axle out of the hub.

If you're just trying to press the bearing out, a trailer hitch works like a charm.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:03 pm

Ok, So the housing with old bearing is in the freezer. I'll set it up in a few hours under pressure and apply heat. The temp differential and expansion should work right? I froze the new bearings and the other side pressed in without too much effort.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:04 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Unless if I read that wrong, I think he's trying to get the axle out of the hub.

If you're just trying to press the bearing out, a trailer hitch works like a charm.

Sorry, I wasn't clear, the hub assembly is off the car, hub is out, trying to press bearing from hub housing.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:06 pm

What is the trailer hitch trick? I have heard of using a trailer ball, I suppose as a mandrel?

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Make sure you remove the circlip on the front, but a 2 5/16th inch trailer hitch will press the bearing out with no issue. If you have a press, you shouldn't have to mess around with heating and freezing things.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:03 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Make sure you remove the circlip on the front, but a 2 5/16th inch trailer hitch will press the bearing out with no issue. If you have a 100 Ton press, you shouldn't have to mess around with heating and freezing things.

Slight correction :wink:

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

I haven't heard of the bearing being seized in the spindle, only axles seized in the hub. D:

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 3:21 pm

Freezing it did the trick. Put it back in the press, loaded it up, and before I get the torch on it, it let go. Hub carrier assembly back on the car and hub nuts torqued. Just a little more work, a quick drive and I should be ready to go tomorrow! Thanks for the suggestions!

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 03, 2013 3:23 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

I haven't heard of the bearing being seized in the spindle, only axles seized in the hub. D:

Axles slid right out of the hubs, I put antiseze on them last time it was apart :thumbsup:

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